I remember getting out to the water on my Kayak for the first time. Seeing how calm the water was and the beautiful reflection of the trees in them, was such a spectacular and relaxing site. What would you do if you had a lake just five to ten minutes from your house? North Carolina has many lakes. In most of them, you can do a variety of activities. From hiking to camping, kayaking, fishing, and more. Here are some of the more popular ones:
Falls Lake
Falls Lake State Recreation Area is a collective of seven access areas scattered around the shoreline of this undeveloped, 12,000-acre reservoir. More than 300 campsites at four of the access areas offer a range of outdoor experience from RV hookups to primitive tent camping and group camps. There are five swim beaches in the recreation area and a number of boating ramps, some reserved for paddlers and non-gasoline powered boats. The Beaverdam access offers a network of mountain biking trails as well as a separate and quiet lake impoundment perfect for paddling, fishing and swimming. The Mountains-to-Sea State Trail winds through parts of the recreation area and is a centerpiece of a network of hiking trails.
And on a personal note, we really like to go to Beaver dam, in the north part of the lake, where there is a nice little beach for the kids to run around, a gates pool within the lake and motor boats are not allowed into that part of the lake, so it’s fairly quite in the water and perfect for kayaking.
Jordan Lake
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is a collective of nine access areas scattered around the shoreline of this undeveloped, 14,000-acre reservoir. More than 1,000 campsites among five of the access areas offer a range of outdoor experiences from RV hookups to primitive tent camping and group camps. There are seven swim beaches in the recreation area and a number of boating ramps, with some swim areas and ramps reserved for campers. Nearly 14 miles of hiking trails wind across the hilly lakeshore, with most of them offering easy, brief hikes perfect for family outings. Spotting bald eagles and osprey is just one of many opportunities to view wildlife, and the lake’s ecology is further explored in the visitor center exhibit hall.
Jordan lake is one of our favorit spots for a 4th of July barbeque with friends and family. It has a bunch of places you can rent for a day (or more) with huge sheds that can easily fit 70 people.
Kerr Lake
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is a collective of seven access areas scattered around the shoreline of this 50,000-acre reservoir that reaches into Virginia. Hundreds of campsites among five of the access areas offer a range of outdoor experience from RV hookups to group camps. There are several swim beaches in the recreation area and multiple boating ramps, some offering 24-hour access with a few reserved for campers. Two private marinas serve boaters and the lake is renowned for excellent fishing. An extensive boat ramp facility at the Nutbush Access is suitable for fishing tournaments. A community building is a popular venue for family or community gatherings.
We usually go camping over there and bring our kayak with us. For about $25 you get a lot with 2 parking spots, a fire pit and direct access to the lake. You don’t need more than that for a fun weekend!
White Lake
White Lake Is a body of water in Bladen County containing some 1,200 acres and is a commercial resort area. White Lake has an average temperature of 63 degrees and an average rainfall of 49.06 inches. White Lake’s first commercial operation opened in 1901. The town was incorporated in 1951 and has a population of approximately 857 year-round with about 200,000 tourists visiting the Lake each summer.
Check out their water park!
Bond Park and Lake
Fred G. Bond Metro Park, at 310 acres, is one of the largest municipal parks in Wake County. Like an oasis in the middle of town, the park design preserves the environment and offers opportunities for many types of recreation.
